It’s bub’s first day at preschool! Here are some tips from Shaws Preschool on making this day a great one.
Bub’s first day at preschool is finally here! As exciting as this day is, it can also seem scary for your little one (and yourself!) as they’ll be in a whole new environment for a significant period of time. Some preschools welcome parents to accompany and help settle their child in for the first few days, while others may adopt a different approach. Regardless of your child’s preschool’s arrangement, here are some tips from Shaws Preschool on making your kid’s first day at preschool a great one.
Before their first day
1. Start talking about school with your child
You can start talking about school with your child about a week or so before their first day. This mentally prepares your child for this whole new experience that they’re about to embark on. Talk to them about the fun things they’re going to do at school, the new friends they’re about to meet, and the teachers who will be taking care of them. This way, the first day of school won’t be such a big shock to them.
2. Bring them along for a school visit
Seeing is better than hearing – so why not bring your little one to visit the school they’re about to attend? Speak to the preschool to see if you can bring your child in for a visit – preferably on a school day – so they can start getting familiar with the environment. Shaws Preschool encourages parents to bring their kids to visit and play in their awesome playgrounds before starting school.
3. Let your child choose their school bag
If they don’t already have a bag, then plan for a school bag shopping trip with your child. Ask your child what kind of school bag they want or, even better, let them hand pick the bag they want from the store! This will give them a sense of control, plus, it can make them feel like a ‘big kid’.
On their first day
4. Involve them in the bag-packing process
One way to make school feel like an adventure for the little ones is to let them take charge. Invite them to pack their newly chosen school bag, guide and explain to them the important things they need to have in the bag. You can also get them to pack their favourite snack, as this will give them a sense of familiarity while being in school.
5. Head to school early
Kids will usually play around in the preschool’s playground before classes start. So you can consider bringing your child to the school earlier for their first week. This will give them more time to get used to the environment, have fun, and maybe even make new friends before moving to class time.
6. Don’t push your child to participate in class activities
It’s alright if your child doesn’t want to join any class activities on their first day. You may encourage them to participate, but don’t force them to if they don’t want to. Instead, you can describe what’s going on to your child while they’re observing the activity. If they prefer to play by themselves, that’s totally fine too! This will actually help them feel comfortable in their new environment.
After their first day
7. Ask them what’s their favourite part of the day
While you’re on your way back from school with bub, ask them to tell you what their favourite part of the day was. You can also talk about what they learned in school and what they had during snack time and lunch. Make it a habit to talk about school to help them get used to the idea and, most importantly, look forward to attending it the next day.
8. Start thinking of a drop-off routine
Kids love routine, and a happy one will surely make their day. Work out a drop-off routine that’s short and sweet: Tell your child that they’ll have a great day at school and keep your goodbyes brief. You should also let them know when you’ll be back to pick them up, which provides reassurance.
The first day of school is a huge milestone for your child, so start them right!
Preschool is the start of your child’s educational journey, so it’s crucial to start it on the right note. While you’re preparing them for their first day, it’s also important that you don’t rush them into it. Every child needs time to adjust to a new environment, so the best thing you can do is to work with their teachers to support them in this.
At Shaws Preschool, the child’s best interest is at the heart of everything they do. The school allows parents to accompany their child for the first two mornings, and the teachers will only take over once you’re ready to leave. The teachers and Principal will keep you informed about your child’s wellbeing for the first week. After your child has settled in, the regular updates for the children will be on the school communication portal. Remember that every child is different, so don’t worry if your child takes longer than other kids to settle in. Shaws Preschool’s teachers are always ready to work closely with you to help your child grow to love school!
This post is in partnership with Shaws Preschool.